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One of the most important lessons CHC learned last year—or relearned again, I should say—is the incredible power of a strong coalition. The group of organizations we helped rally around AB 2011 was the key to that bill’s success, and we have made it an organizational priority to continue building relationships with like-minded groups that share our commitment to affordable housing.
We took another step on that journey this week when CHC joined a joint $7.9 billion budget request to the Governor and legislative leaders with a statewide group of housing, homelessness, and housing justice advocates. Our letter acknowledges the hard choices the state must make in the face of a potential budget deficit. But it also makes our case plainly, noting that previous deficits and recessions have demonstrated that, especially for the counter-cyclical affordable housing industry, “economic downturns are precisely the times when we must invest.”
With the support of our partners, more than half of the new budget request is focused on affordable housing production—from doubling funding for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to boosting support for MHP, the California Housing Accelerator, and farmworker housing. We’re proud to have the entire affordable housing community championing these priorities.
We recognize, of course, that this is a tough sell at a tough time. But we know these resources are essential for affordable housing providers to do our job—and produce and preserve safe, affordable homes for more Californians.
We look forward to working with you through the remainder of the budget season to help state leaders see it the same way.
Sincerely,
Ray Pearl, Executive Director
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